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  • With Mayo Clinic nutritionists

    Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

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  • Nutrition-wise blog

  • July 13, 2011

    What's OK to eat after gallbladder removal?

    By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

963 comments posted

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I just got a phone call from a retired Mayo Clinic doctor asking why we don't have a gallbladder removal diet. He went on to explain that he'd had a very uncomfortable and embarrassing incident after eating a large meal that contained lots of fat. My response was that there isn't a set diet people should follow after gallbladder removal because the guidelines depend on the individual.

It's helpful to know a little background: The gallbladder collects bile, a fluid that is produced by the liver, and releases it when you eat to aid the breakdown and absorption of fat. Between meals, bile collects in the gallbladder and is concentrated. When the gallbladder is removed, bile is less concentrated and it drains continuously into the intestine. This affects digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. How much of a problem it is varies from person to person. With time, the body often adjusts and becomes better at digesting fatty foods.

The amount of fat eaten at one time also factors into the equation. Smaller amounts of fat are easier to digest. On the other hand, large amounts can remain undigested and cause gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Although I don't have a specific gallbladder removal diet to recommend, I can offer general advice for avoiding problems after you've had your gallbladder removed:

  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals. This may ensure a better mix with available bile. Include small amounts of lean protein, such as poultry, fish and nonfat dairy, at every meal, along with vegetables, fruit and whole grains.
  • Go easy on fat. Avoid high-fat foods, fried and greasy foods, and fatty sauces and gravies. Instead, choose nonfat or low-fat foods. Read labels and look for foods with 3 grams of fat or less a serving.
  • Gradually increase the fiber in your diet. This can help normalize bowel movements by reducing incidents of diarrhea or constipation. However, it can also make gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to slowly increase the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks.
  • Be aware that after gallbladder surgery some people find that the following are difficult to digest: caffeinated beverages and dairy products.

Talk with your doctor if your symptoms are severe, don't diminish, continue over time or if you lose weight and become weak.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has had gallbladder surgery — do you have problems — or are you able to eat almost everything? Any advice you can share?

- Jennifer

963 comments posted

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  • January 13, 2013 12:34 p.m.

    oh my gosh.......i've had diarreah, seems.....like forever........i SO DO NOT like it one bit. had my gallbladder removed in 2011 ........ugh,,,,,,,,, . it is embarrassing, not to mention i can't have a job or social life. i get "IT" daily 5 to 7 times in the morning, ugh.......if only there was something for this. my doc just looks at me like i am exaggerating, doesn't help at all. i've had to quit 2 jobs already. and going to church on sunday am, sadly doesn't happen, because i have to keep getting up and running to the ladies room

    - cindy

  • January 12, 2013 9:59 p.m.

    i had lap surgery 3 days ago and i cant eat anything i get nauseated and eventually throw up its like im not even digesting food now. i feel horrible worse now than i did when i had my gall bladder

    - Jena

  • January 12, 2013 7:40 p.m.

    hi. i had my gallbladder removed two years ago. but i lost a lot of wait in the year i had the surgery i can't eat like i use to. i have to eat smaller meals but i still don't know how and what to eat. i also have a lot of pain on the right side for a while now i'm going to see the doctor that did the surgery and tell him that its been hurting me for a few months now. i don't know really what i can or cannot eat i am lactoce and intolorence cant have dairy products i also have acid reflex. so i really have to watch i eat but i don't know how to do it

    - maria

  • January 12, 2013 3:06 p.m.

    My doctor told me to take a teaspoon of Metamucil every day to regulate bowels movements and it works wonders. (titrate up to a tsp for a week or you will most likely experience more gas and discomfort until your body adjusts to the extra fiber).

    - Shelly

  • January 12, 2013 5:12 a.m.

    Hi- I had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago. I have problems with pain where my gallbladder used to be although not as severe. I have to be careful not to eat too much fat. I am still paying for too much rich food over Christmas! Acid reflux is and constant ache behind my ribs and an upset stomach will go away with two weeks of very healthy eating. However I have to say that my symptoms now are much prefered to what I experienced before the removal!

    - Reen

  • January 11, 2013 1:19 a.m.

    Hello, I was looking for advice on good diets after Laparoscopic Gaul bladder surgery. My wife had this surgery several years ago but after the surgery was fine. Of course she had some issues from time to time but nothing severe. My nephew went to have a hernia removed and during some test before that surgery the physician found that his Gaul bladder was not functioning and looked as if it had not been functioning for quit some time. He had his hernia repaired and his Gaul bladder removed. Before the surgery he always had intestinal issues, now he has the same issues and can't seem to eat anything that doesn't make the symptoms worse. I'm going to try these suggestions and see if it helps his condition. Thanks David

    - David

  • January 10, 2013 11:05 a.m.

    I had my gallbladder removed years ago and still have problems with urgent bowel movements. I take Colestid, but if I forget one day, I have trouble the next. This makes travel almost impossible. If any new meds/science comes out, I would gladly try it!

    - Joyce

  • January 10, 2013 7:34 a.m.

    i had this surgery 12/06/12 my problem was constipation because gb wasn't opening to let bile out, i feed 95% better however still having problems with constipation. has anybody else experienced constipation and what is best way to deal with it?

    - beckie

  • January 8, 2013 3:43 p.m.

    I had my gb removed over a year ago. I have had stomach pain off and on but lately it has been bad. I eat and go to the restroom with in 10 minutes. Anything I eat goes right through me. The past two weeks have been nothing but stomach pains, cramping, and diarrhea. I still cant find a good balanced diet post gb surgery.

    - Nicole

  • January 6, 2013 1:23 p.m.

    Just had my gall bladder removed. Thanks for the good advice as diarrhea and bloating has been a problem. Good to know it is to be expected.

    - Dave

  • January 5, 2013 1:13 p.m.

    I agree with Natalie, I have the same problem you are experiencing. Always fearing if I will need to go to the bathroom. I don't eat or drink dairy products out and try not to eat large meals. Small portions seems to work, but not dairy or coffee, and I love cheese. I usually have dairy and coffee on the weekend. You can't skip a meal either because when you go to eat it goes right through you. What a way to live, right. Oh by the way, I had my gall bladder remove over 5 years and have had this problem for years.

    - Wanda

  • January 5, 2013 11:38 a.m.

    I had my gallbladder removed 12/21/12 and I am doing good. It was removed due to cholesterol polyps & high ejection rate-95%. I had an overactive gb and I felt horrible after I ate. Since my surgery, I got my energy back, my aches & pains are gone in my shoulders & my anxiety has disappeared. Not sure if this was all due to my gallbladder, but I think its odd that everything is gone! I can pretty much eat anything. I do watch my fats and try to keep it at a minimum. I just wanted to share with everyone that I have no problems since my surgery 2 weeks ago. It was well worth it to me. I noticed a big difference the first day. Each day seems to be getting better. Good luck to all and don't be afraid, it was well worth it.

    - Gloria

  • January 3, 2013 10:57 a.m.

    I had my gallbladder removed on 12/27/12 at 7:30 am and I was home by 2:30 pm. I was amazed at how fast you are sent home with this surgery. I have since resumed a regular diet with no problems. I do notice that I need to use the bathroom more frequently, but I have not experience any stomach upset or problems.

    - Lisa

  • January 1, 2013 10:33 p.m.

    I had my gb out in November. So far no go on beef and pork or anything super greasy. Some fried foods are tolerable like chicken breast and some fish. I have already lost 15 lbs. I do wish for a hamburger or taco but it is def not worth the horrible stomach pain it causes. It feels like my stomach is going to explode. I wonder if the fattening food just sits in my stomach now. I have even tried just a bite and had pain from it. Oh well....looks like chicken and fish for me.

    - leanne

  • January 1, 2013 2:53 p.m.

    I recently had my gallbladder removed about 2 months ago and i am having a lot of problems with bowel movements and gas. It seems like Anything i eat i hve to go to the bathroom afterwards. It's very horrible and makes me afraid to eat now. I need help :(

    - jade

  • December 29, 2012 2:48 a.m.

    I had my gall bladder removed July 2011 after 2 years of misdiagnosis. Afterwords I experienced horrible stomach cramps, stabbing pain in the area my gall bladder was removed, and frequent and uncomfortable bathroom visits. Turns out that very often after this type of surgery the body develops what is known as Bile-salts diarrhea. Its horribly painful, wakes me up at night, but with my diagnosis I have begun taking Olostyr (doctor perscribed only), digestive enzymes to help with the fat consumption and Iberogast, which is a herbal tincture found in the local pharmacy that is used three times a day as a cup of tea. It is a wonderful way to reduce bloating, gas, and some of the pain. The olestyr helps with the hourly shits...... I have also found it is best to avoid all types of red meat, junk food, pop, alcohol, and high processed foods. What I found works best for me is to eat a daily teaspoon of ground flax seed, have a mainly veg and fruit diet, and only eat low fat dairy and white meats and fish. And yogurt lots and lots of yogurt. If i get the craving for chips there are a number of really good rice crisps or chips out there that taste just the same if not better than the over processed and fatty potato chips. Also get some types of exercise at lest 3 times a week to keep the juices flowing and you energy high. A good swim works heavenly for me. I hope this helps.

    - Tegan

  • December 28, 2012 5:32 a.m.

    I had to have my gallbladder removed about 5 years ago and I have had a runny tummy ever since then. I am constantly feeling sick in my tummy and I do not know what to eat and what to avoid anymore. I constantly go to the loo and always feel sick. I have tried various eating plans and none of them seem to work. I am tired of feeling the way I do and constantly having to worry about if there will be a toilet close enough when I eat something. Has anyone got any suggestions, please?

    - Natalie

  • December 26, 2012 11:45 a.m.

    Fish oil seems to not "stick" with me. I excrete it. I wonder then - is it a waste of money and effort for me to take Fish oil capsules?

    - Katalin

  • December 26, 2012 10:23 a.m.

    I had mine removed on Dec 6th 2012. When I was diagnosed with the stones, Nov 12th 2012, I immediatley researched alot about the removal of the Gallbladder and the diet before and after surgery. I stopped eating beef, fried foods, pizza, and really fatty foods. I've kept up with not eating these foods and will do so for the rest of my life. Also, there were several other foods like, beans, ice cream, creamy sauces and other foods that were given on written material from the hospital, to avoid as well. Thank God, I've been doing not so bad. I have experienced loose stool a few times but I keep track of what I eat very closely to avoid that again. For me, it's all about being aware of what I eat and also eating the right things. One of my favorite treats I have to avoid is Chocolate but if I don't want to have any other complications, then I will have to do it. It's about being educated and disciplined. Good Luck!

    - Lee

  • December 21, 2012 5:25 p.m.

    Gallbladder removal was in March 2012. Since then I have not gotten back to normal in my bowels. I am to the point now that I am having what I'd call bowel seepage. At any given time I experience a thick, gluelike discharge of bowels. It happens everyday usually. I am hopeful that a diet change would help. Up until now I've eaten pretty much what I want to hoping that I'd get back to normal but things are getting worse. I am really hoping to clear this up with foods or herbal help as I hate pharmicuticals. I read your article and I'm disappointed that all I can really do is eat less fat and eat smaller meals more often. I will certainly try to get away from the fat. If you have anything else to suggest I'd be willing to try it. Last week I put myself on some good enzymes/probiotics thinking that will help but can't tell yet. Thank you for your article

    - Linda

  • December 19, 2012 2:08 p.m.

    Marilyn - what you describe is complicated and goes beyond what can be offered in this blog. I recommend that you discuss your symptoms with your physician and/or consult with a gastroenterologist.

    - - your blog host Jennifer

  • December 18, 2012 7:37 p.m.

    I had my gallbladder out 16 years ago. I was sick for a year and couldn't eat anything. Found a website called Health Alert. Took AF Betafood for two weeks and then I could eat anything I wanted. But I have gained weight since the surgery so sugar may be a problem in my digestion. The AF Betafood has beet juice in it. the company is Standard Process. A must for anyone who has had their gallbladder removed. It cleans your bile and helps the liver. you'll love how you feel :)

    - Nancy

  • December 18, 2012 11:17 a.m.

    My brother had his surgery a few days ago. As soon as he eats something heavy, gas is made. He is taking pulses and fruits. Well, it's working.

    - Archana

  • December 17, 2012 8:40 p.m.

    I have had similar problems to many on this blog. I had my surgery a year ago and still have have gas and bow movement problems. I have learned a lot reading the comments. Two doctors recommended "Cholestyramine for Oral Suspension USP powder" to me. I mix it with some water and juice. It tastes like chalk but it works. The problem is that you have to experiment a little with it as it can constipate you if you use too much. A scoop a day helps to regulate the bile in the digestive tract to some extent and you can feel normal at least for a while. It requires a prescription. Worth a try.

    - Rick

  • December 17, 2012 2:28 p.m.

    I had my gallbladder removed Dec. 4, 2012. The first week I had no problems with eating but now it seems like everything I eat goes straight through me.

    - April

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